RIYADH: The Riyadh International Book Fair 2012 under the aegis of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will open today with the theme “Life is Reading.”

It is being organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information at the Riyadh International Exhibition Center.

At a press conference held before the opening, the Cultural Attaché of Sweden on behalf of the Swedish ambassador thanked the ministry for providing Sweden with the opportunity to participate as a guest of honor at the fair. He said: “It is part of the consolidation of relations between the two countries.”

He added the Swedish wing at the fair would reflect the culture and the nature of Sweden and define the country that has been associated with the famous Nobel Prize.

He said: “A high-level delegation, led by the chief of the Swedish Institute, will attend the opening of the Riyadh International Book Fair. The Swedish Institute is as important as the British Council.” The chief of the institute will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Information for Cultural Affairs Nasser Al-Hujailan, who is also general supervisor of the fair, said: “The Minister of Culture and Information will announce from his office the 10 books winning the award and the names of their authors.”

Six hundred publishing houses from Arab and foreign countries will participate in the exhibition, he said, adding that 200,000 books will be exhibited. “We accepted the publishing houses closest to the standards set by us,” he said, adding the ministry has developed a five-year plan to help determine the eligibility of publishing houses to participate in the Fair.

The exhibition will continue for 10 days. Minister of Culture and Information Abdulaziz Khoja expressed his thanks and appreciation to King Abdullah for his patronage of the fair.

Khoja welcomed the Swedish guests of honor at the fair this year, hoping such participation will allow the visitors to understand the culture of Sweden and the scientific and technical achievements that would benefit cultural dialogue and exchanges between people.